Background:

In order to assess the regional trends of microbiological resistance pattern, all cultured bacteria isolated in 2003 in our Laboratory were reviewed as to specimen source and susceptibility profile.

Materials and methods:

In 2003, 7220 samples were cultured, 75% (5415) of hospitalised patients and 25% (1805) from ambulatory patients. The samples were: 3760 urine, 1276 blood cultures, 580 lesions and 1604 samples of other secretions. Classic culture methods, Vitek system and NCCLS breakpoints were used.

Results:

Cultivations were positive in 23% (1661, 1381 adults and 280 children samples). The distribution of bacteria differed according to the types of specimens. The distribution of 1147 Gram(-) was 1003 Enterobacteriaceae and 145 Nonfermentative bacilli. There were 460 Gram(+) cocci and 54 yeasts, too. E. Coli predominated in enterobacteriaceae (65%), followed by Klebsiella sp., P. aeruginosa in non-fermentative bacilli (70%) and A. baumanii (29%). Among the Gram(+) S. aureus was the most frequent (42.5%), followed by CNS. Ampicillin inhibited growth of 35% for E. Coli. Ttime/Sulfa combination could inhibit less than 16% and the second-generation cephalosporins less than 25%, while fluoroquinolons were very effective against enterobacteriaceae strains (more than 95%). Piperacillin inhibited growth of 8% of P. aeruginosa and quinolons less than 17%. Enterococcus strains were highly sensitive to teicoplanin (100%) and nitrofurantoin (97.9%). MRSA were 31% but GISA were 1%. A. baumanii and GISA were in ICU.

Conclusion:

A permanent surveillance of frequency and sensitivity levels of the most common pathogens responsible for infectious enables to identify local antimicrobial activity and plays a key role in starting empiric therapy pending bacterial identification and in vitro assay.